Caring for your Seraphine

Amaranthus is a thirsty, fast-drinking bloom, so keep the vase topped up with clean, cool water and never let the level drop below the lower stems. Its stems are soft and slightly hollow, which means a clean angled cut with a sharp knife or shears works better than crushing them, and any foliage sitting below the waterline should be stripped away to keep the water clear. Position the arrangement so the long tassels can drape freely, away from heat, fruit bowls, and direct sunlight that would draw the moisture out too quickly. A gentle re-cut and a full water change every couple of days is all these cascading stems ask to stay supple and richly coloured.

A note on your specific blooms

  • Amaranthus — Recut the stems at an angle and keep the water shallow, as amaranthus drinks heavily and the lower stem softens quickly when submerged too deep.

How long your flowers last

Seraphine is built almost entirely around Amaranthus, so you can expect a realistic display life of 7–10 days when it is kept cool and out of direct sun. The trailing, tasseled stems hold their plush texture and deep colour well into the second week, which is what gives this arrangement its longevity. The most delicate growth sits at the very tips of each cascade, where the finest tassels soften first, while the thicker upper stems stay firm and full the longest. To get the full range from your Amicis bouquet, refresh the water every two days and trim the stem ends at an angle each time you do.

The story behind these flowers

A closer look at the blooms gathered into this arrangement.

Amaranthus

Origin

Tropical Americas (Andes & Mesoamerica)

Cultivated since

For thousands of years by Andean & Mesoamerican peoples

Fragrance

Virtually scentless

Symbolises

Immortality, unfading love & endurance

Grown across the Americas for millennia as both grain and ornament, amaranthus is best known for its long crimson tassels that spill downward in soft, trailing ropes. Its name comes from the Greek for unfading, a nod to blooms that hold colour and form even as they dry. In an arrangement it adds movement and weight, draping over the edge of a vessel to break a clean silhouette and lend an Amicis piece an unhurried, sculptural fall.